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White Sox moves earning praise around league

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2014 White Sox predictions 3:24

Mitch Williams, Bill Ripken and Dan Plesac weigh in with their predictions for the 2014 White Sox on MLB Tonight

By Scott Merkin
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MLB.com |

MESA, Ariz. -- A true test of the White Sox's reshaping won't really take place until well into the 2014 campaign. But buzz from others around Major League Baseball seems to indicate the White Sox have moved in the right direction.

"We are starting to now hear from other teams, and other scouts, saying, 'Whoa, nice job guys,'" said White Sox executive vice president Ken Williams of the team's high energy youth movement. "That's kind of gratifying too to hear from your peers and people you trust."

Changing the roster and making this kind of move had been talked about yearly, but always was topped by the win-now mode. The 2013 results altered the team's focus.

"Having the [struggle] that was the 2013 season allowed us to do some of what we had always kind of planned for," Williams said. "We are extremely pleased to be able to watch as much young talent as we have.

"I certainly applaud our Major League scouts and professional scouts, our amateur scouts. Rick [general manager Hahn] has tried to uncover every possible rock to find the most talent that we can. I enjoy it because I get to now focus on what I like to do, and that's the personnel side of things."

Manager Robin Ventura has seen first-hand the fun and energy that comes with a younger team during this Spring Training.

"There are guys trying to prove themselves and show they belong here and make a career out of it and stay a long time," Ventura said. "There's a certain amount of excitement with that.

"It's different that they're younger. There's more teaching going on and conversations you don't necessarily have to have with older guys. But it's still fun."

Going through this reshaping process does not change the ultimate measure for success in Ventura's mind.

"You have to win games and that's the name of the game," Ventura said. "There's a little bit of patience and there's the other side too.

"They have to understand what it is. It is a business and a job and everything that goes with it. It can be fun. But you've gotta get your work in and do it right."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.